Kingston elementary school reveals new outdoor classroom

KINGSTON, ON, Oct. 3, 2013 /CNW/ - This fall, 170 John Graves (JG) Simcoe Public School students will enjoy a new outdoor classroom and reading circle.

Today, Principal Darren Seymour unveiled the schoolyard revitalization project worth $20,000 thanks in part to CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO), Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS) and Car Medics Automotive.

The Kingston elementary school is the first recipient of the 'Sustainable Revitalization' prize which includes landscaping greenery and eco-friendly products made of recycled tires.

It was all part of our 2012 RecycleDrive campaign contest. Out of 19 participating garages across southern Ontario, Kingston's Car Medics Automotive, collected the most tires and won the privilege of awarding the re-greening gift to a community school in need.

"We are pleased to award John Graves Simcoe Public School with environmentally friendly playground products and landscaping greenery to beautify the schoolyard. Giving back to the community is a big part of what we do at CAA South Central Ontario," said Gina Banwait, Community Relations Specialist, CAA SCO.

"There has been immense support across Ontario to create greener spaces, and the active community participation in last year's RecycleDrive initiative was reflective of that," said Krista Cassidy, Program Coordinator, OTS. "We want to thank Ontarians for their ongoing support to create sustainable communities, and we're excited to give back as well by transforming an important space in Kingston's community using innovative, eco-friendly recycled tire products."

"The initiative has altered the landscape of our school grounds. What was initially anticipated as an outdoor classroom to facilitate learning for our students has become that and more. JG Simcoe PS is the hub of our community and the wonderful space that has been created is now a gathering place for students and parents, before, during, and after school. We connect our teaching and learning to JG Simcoe GreenSpace and we gather there as a community to share in the spirit of our school," said Darren Seymour, Principal, JG Simcoe Public School.

In the coming weeks, we will be launching our third annual RecycleDrive campaign. The eco-friendly initiative runs from Oct 15-31 at 29 participating garages. We will take your drained car, household and marine batteries, used motor oil and old tires, off your hands for free and make sure they are recycled properly and safely.

For the second year in a row, the participating garage which collects the most tires will choose a school in their community to receive the 'Sustainable Revitalization' package worth $20,000. For every tire collected, CAA SCO will also donate $1 to the prize pack.

CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club offering roadside services, automotive care, travel and insurance. There are more than 1.9 million CAA members in South Central Ontario and over 5.9 million members in Canada. We're more than Roadside Assistance. We're Life-side Assistance.

Ontario Tire Stewardship is an Industry Funding Organization (IFO) incorporated under Ontario's Waste Diversion Act, to implement and operate the Used Tires Program. Through the Used Tires program, 100 per cent of Ontario tires get efficiently and responsibly recycled into new products, leading to more livable communities and a growing green economy in this province. To date, OTS has helped responsibly recycle more than 50 million tires in Ontario.

Image with caption: "New outdoor classroom/reading circle at John Graves Simcoe Public School (Kingston) (CNW Group/CAA South Central Ontario)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131003_C6074_PHOTO_EN_31537.jpg

SOURCE: CAA South Central Ontario

Media contact: Silvana Aceto, Media and PR Consultant, CAA SCO, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone] or Jeff LeMoine, Communications Consultant, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone].